Russia Faces an Uphill Climb To Turn World Cup Into Tourism Win

In this photo taken on Saturday, April 21, 2018, a view on the new the World Cup stadium during the Russian league soccer match between Rotor and Luch-Energiya in Volgograd, Russia . The stadium will hold group-stage games at the World Cup. (AP Photo/)
Dmitriy Rogulin

Skift Take: Who can blame travelers for wanting to sit this World Cup out given all the reasons (some valid) they get from news reports every day? FIFA could also have done more to assure travelers from countries like the U.S. and UK that Russia will have the welcome mat rolled out, at least while the matches are being played.